Crowned by Fate Chapter 228

Skye's POV

One Month Later

I lounged on the couch in Adrian's office, scrolling through Venus's latest partnership proposals while Adrian paced back and forth, his phone pressed to his ear. His deep chuckle filled the room as he listened to whoever was on the other end.

"So Logan's building a coalition now?" Adrian asked, amusement coloring his tone. "Tell me more, Xavier."

I glanced up, momentarily distracted from my work. Alpha King Xavier had become a frequent caller since Adrian's impressive showing at the election. Though Adrian hadn't won, he'd earned respect across the country, and Xavier apparently valued his counsel.

"Playing nice with every Alpha from coast to coast?" Adrian shook his head. "Classic Logan move."

I returned my attention to the tablet, but kept listening. Politics never stopped in our world, even after a hard-won peace.

"He tried to get Leon on board too?" Adrian asked, his voice rising slightly. "And?"

The mention of Leon's name barely registered anymore. A month ago, it might have sent a spike of pain through my chest. Now, it was just another name, another Alpha from another pack. The mating bond that once tormented me had finally gone quiet, replaced by something deeper, more certain with Adrian.

Adrian nodded as he listened. "I see," he responded to whatever Xavier was saying. "So Leon turned him down?"

After a pause, Adrian smiled. "Well, that's something. I used to think Leon was just another entitled pack prince," Xavier was saying, "especially after how he behaved during the first trial, stealing coins with no regard for other Alphas' safety. But I'll give him this much: at least he's a principled jerk."

I couldn't help but smile at that assessment. It wasn't wrong.

Adrian's expression grew serious. "If we want to break Logan's monopoly on medical services, we need to support new werewolf healthcare companies."

They launched into a detailed discussion about funding structures and regulatory challenges.

My phone buzzed with an incoming call. The name on the screen surprised me: Jessie. I hadn't spoken to her in months, not since... not since Nadia.

I stepped out onto the balcony and answered, "Jessie? Hey."

"Skye! Thank god." Her familiar voice brought back memories of the Watering Hole, of simpler days. "I thought maybe you changed your number. I tried calling a couple times."

"Sorry about that," I said, guilt washing over me. "The past few months have been crazy."

"I bet," she said, her tone softening. "How are you doing? How's... everything?"

"I'm good," I said. "How about you?"

"Managing," she replied. "Working more shifts than ever. But that's not why I called."

I heard her take a deep breath.

"It's Buck," she said finally. "He passed away yesterday."

The news hit me with unexpected force. Buck, with his gruff voice and surprisingly kind heart, gone.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Alcohol poisoning," Jessie said with a sad laugh. "Fitting, right? The funeral's day after tomorrow at the Watering Hole."

"At the bar?"

"Where else would he want it?" She had a point. "I was hoping you might come. I know it's probably a long trip for you now, but..."

"I'll be there," I said without hesitation. "Just text me the details."

After ending the call, I stood on the balcony, watching the desert sunset paint the sky in brilliant oranges and purples. So much had changed in a year.

When I returned inside, Adrian looked up from his desk.

"Everything okay?" he asked, immediately noting my expression.

"Buck died," I said simply. "The funeral's in Boring. Day after tomorrow."

Adrian nodded, understanding immediately. "We'll leave tomorrow morning."

No questions, no hesitation. Just another reason why I loved him.

***

The Watering Hole looked exactly as I remembered it: the blue-painted wooden door, the neon beer signs, the worn pool table in the corner.

But today, black ribbons adorned the entrance, and Buck's photo sat prominently on the bar, surrounded by flowers and bottles of his favorite whiskey.

"I didn't expect this many people," I whispered to Adrian as we entered.

The bar was packed. Ranchers, truck drivers, regular patrons, and locals I'd never seen before all gathered to pay their respects. Despite the occasion, the atmosphere wasn't somber. People were drinking, laughing, sharing stories about Buck.

Jessie spotted us from behind the bar and hurried over, pulling me into a tight hug.

"You came," she said, sounding genuinely surprised.

"Of course I did," I replied, returning her embrace.

When we pulled apart, Jessie's eyes dropped to my left hand, widening at the sight of the ring Adrian had given me.

"You got married?" she exclaimed, grabbing my hand to examine the ring. "And you didn't tell me?"

"We didn't have a ceremony," I explained, feeling my cheeks warm. "Just went traveling for a month and made it official."

Jessie glanced at Adrian, who stood politely beside me. "You're still so handsome."

Adrian extended his hand. "You look good too."

"Buck left the place to me. Can you believe it? Apparently, he had it all set up with his lawyer years ago. Said I was the only one who wouldn't run it into the ground."

"That sounds like Buck," I said, smiling despite the sadness. "How did it happen?"

"Exactly how he would have wanted," Jessie said. "He drank himself to sleep and never woke up. No pain, no fuss."

She lowered her voice. "He was asking about you, you know. Wanted you to come to his Halloween bash. Tried calling, but..."

"I was... away," I said, remembering the Alpha King trials that had consumed October and November. "I'm sorry I missed his calls."

"He understood," Jessie assured me. "Said you had your own life now. He was proud of you for moving on."

The sentiment brought unexpected tears to my eyes. Buck had been more than just a boss. He'd been a lifeline when I'd needed one most.

"Hey, is that silver hair I see?" a familiar voice called out.

I turned to find Caleb approaching, his cowboy hat in hand and a bright smile on his face. Beside him stood a sturdy woman with sun-kissed skin and an open, friendly expression.

"Caleb," I greeted him with a genuine smile. "Good to see you."

"This here's Monica," he said, placing his hand on the small of the woman's back. "My girlfriend."

"Didn't expect you to come too," Monica said, her handshake firm and confident.

"How have you been?" I asked Caleb.

"Actually, I moved back to Boring for good," he said. "Leased a small ranch just outside town. Running my own operation now."

"That's wonderful," I said sincerely.

"Spent last year traveling around," he continued, "but nowhere felt right. Came back here and realized this was home all along."

I nodded in understanding. "This place has a way of growing on you."

As the afternoon wore on, people took turns sharing stories about Buck. Some made us laugh, others brought tears. Through it all, Adrian stayed close, his hand warm in mine, anchoring me as memories of my time in Boring washed over me.

When the formal part of the memorial concluded, we said our goodbyes to Jessie, promising to keep in touch this time. As we headed toward the door, I paused, looking back at the bar one last time.

I remembered walking through that blue door a year ago, lost and alone, looking for any job that would keep me fed.

I remembered Adrian pushing through that same door two months later, his presence immediately filling the room, changing the course of my life forever.

"Goodbye, Buck," I whispered. "Goodbye, Watering Hole."

As we walked to the car, Adrian took my hand.

Adrian's amber eyes caught the setting sun as he said:

"How can we say goodbye? As we said, just like hello."